The morning after his talk with the AI, Riaan stood in the village square, watching people move with unusual energy. Buckets clinked as women drew water from the new well. Children played along the irrigation channels, splashing happily. Even the older men, once skeptical, were now patching roofs and clearing paths without being asked.

The merchant’s visit had sparked whispers. Some wondered if the village might soon attract trade. Others worried about outsiders. Riaan knew these thoughts could divide them unless he acted.

He cleared his throat and raised his voice. “Everyone, gather here.”

Villagers slowly assembled—men with calloused hands, women balancing baskets, children with curious eyes. Elder Tarek crossed his arms but stayed silent, waiting.

“I want to thank you all,” Riaan began. “The well, the channels—none of this would have worked without your hands. It isn’t my work. It’s ours.”

A murmur of agreement passed through the crowd. Riaan continued, steady but firm.

“But progress brings attention. The merchant who visited saw what we’ve built. Others will hear of it. Some may come with goodwill. Others may not. We cannot know. What we do know is this: if we stand divided, we are weak. But together, we are strong.”

The words hung heavy in the air. For a moment, silence. Then a farmer spoke: “So what do we do, Riaan?”

Riaan nodded. This was the opening he needed. “We begin by building trust. No one here should feel alone in their work. Every family will be paired with another. If one struggles, the other helps. We’ll rotate duties—water, farming, cleaning—so no burden falls on a single group.”

A young mother raised her hand. “And disputes? People argue. That won’t stop.”

“Then we settle them openly,” Riaan said. “We’ll meet every seventh day. Anyone can speak. Everyone can listen. No decision will be hidden.”

The villagers shifted uneasily—openness was not their way. But curiosity outweighed fear.

Elder Tarek finally spoke. “And who will lead these meetings? You?”

Riaan met his gaze calmly. “No. The meeting leads itself. I’ll guide if needed, but the voice belongs to everyone. If we are to protect this village, trust cannot rest on one person. It must rest on all of us.”

For the first time, Tarek’s frown softened. He gave a small nod.

By evening, the first pairings were arranged. Families visited each other, sharing food, trading small favors. Laughter carried across the square as neighbors who once spoke little now exchanged stories. Children ran between houses freely, carrying small bundles of grain or firewood.

Riaan watched quietly from the sidelines, his heart steady. The AI’s words echoed in his mind—*unity is your first shield.*

Later, as the stars filled the night sky, a group of villagers approached him. “Riaan,” one of them said, “we were wrong to doubt. You’ve made us more than a village. You’ve made us a family.”

Riaan didn’t answer right away. Instead, he looked at their faces—tired, hopeful, determined. He knew this was only the beginning. Trust once planted needed careful tending, or it would wither.

But for tonight, at least, the roots were set.

And tomorrow, he would begin the second lesson the AI had given him: learning about the world beyond their borders.